Hull Police to carry anti-overdose drug Narcan

HULL – The town’s police department will become the latest area public safety department to carry naloxone to prevent overdose deaths.

In a letter to selectmen read at Tuesday night’s board meeting, Police Chief Richard Billings said all the department’s officers are undergoing a comprehensive training under the supervision of Patrol Officers Joseph Smith and Michael Angellis on the use of the drug, also known by the brand-name Narcan.

“Our officers have responded to several non-fatal overdoses in the past year,” Billings wrote. “Now, HPD officers will have the training and equipment to immediately treat an overdose.”

Billings said officers will carry the nasal form of the drug, Narcan. He said the drug “has the power to quickly reverse the effects of opioid overdoses” from the use of drugs such as heroin, morphine, oxycodone (found in OxyContin and Percocet) and hydrocodone (as found in Vicodin.)

“It has few side effects and does not cause harm if it is administered to a person who has not overdosed on opioids,” Billings said.

Earlier this month, Weymouth Police became the latest area public safety agency to carry the drug. It has also been issued to police officers in neighboring Cohasset.

Quincy Police was the first municipal department in the nation to train and equip all its officers with Narcan back in 2010. Since then, they say they have reversed more than 260 overdoses.

Earlier this year, Gov. Deval Patrick declared a public health emergency due to the rising number of addicts ending up in jail cells, emergency rooms and morgues.

Billings said opiate overdoses are the leading cause of accidental death in the state.

Officers Smith and Angellis were certified to train other officers after working with Dr. David Muse of Brockton Hospital.

“I am pleased that the officers of the Hull Police Department have embraced this initiative, as they recognize that it is in keeping with our core mission to protect human life,” Billings said.